AI Reshaping Scientific Research... Korea, U.S. and Europe Share R&D Innovation Strategies

NST, KIST, and KOFST Host Seoul S&T Forum to Discuss Transition to AI-Based R&D
Experts from Korea and Abroad, Including Seoul National University Professor Baek Minkyoung, Examine Changes in Basic Research and Industry's R&D Practices

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way scientific research is conducted and national research and development (R&D) strategies. Discussions are gaining momentum on integrating AI into conventional research, which relied on researchers' experience and experiments, to accelerate scientific discovery and expand cooperation among countries.

The National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST), the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), and the Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) jointly held the "2026 Seoul S&T Forum" on the 12th at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Samuel Kaski, a professor at Aalto University in Finland, is giving a presentation. Provided by KIST.

About 300 domestic and international science and technology experts and officials attended the forum, held under the theme "AI for Science, Science for All," to discuss strategies for transitioning to AI-based research and development and national policy directions. In particular, marking the 60th anniversary of KIST's founding and the 60th anniversary of KOFST's establishment, participants reflected on the development of science and technology in Korea and explored directions for research innovation in the AI era.

In the morning policy presentations, Yoon Gyeongsuk, Director General for Basic and Fundamental Research Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, introduced "Korea's AI4S (AI for Science) Policy Direction." Jang Junyeon, Vice President of KIST, presented the "KIST AI Transformation Vision," which outlines the institute's AI transformation strategy, while Professor Choi Jaebung of Sungkyunkwan University discussed the significance of science and technology and social changes in the AI era.

In the afternoon, discussions continued comparing AI-based R&D strategies in the United States, Europe, and Korea. Jeffrey Hittinger, Deputy Associate Director for Science and Technology in the Computing Directorate at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the United States; Professor Samuel Kaski of Aalto University in Finland; and Yoo Yonggyun, Director of NST's National Center for Science AI Research, introduced their respective countries' R&D strategies.

Changes in research approaches in industry and academia were also a key topic. Shim Sangwoo, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of MakinaRocks, presented strategies for applying AI in industrial R&D settings. Professor Baek Minkyung of Seoul National University, a key developer of RoseTTAFold, an AI-based protein structure prediction technology, explained the paradigm shift in basic research in the AI era.

At a panel discussion moderated by Professor Oh Hyeyeon of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), participants discussed AI-based R&D policies and ways to expand industry-academia-research collaboration at home and abroad.

The second "Good Morning, Science" event was also held that morning to expand international cooperation between foreign diplomatic missions in Korea and government-funded research institutes. KIST introduced its global open innovation strategy and major cases of international cooperation, and discussed joint research and researcher exchanges with attendees.

Kim Youngsik, Chairman of NST, said, "The development of science and technology and research innovation can no longer be achieved through the capabilities of a single institution or a single country alone," adding, "Close ties and cooperation among domestic and international research institutions and the science and technology community are more important than ever."

KIST President Oh Sangrok said, "If the past 60 years were a period in which science and technology supported national development, the next 60 years will be an era in which science and technology lead national development," adding, "We will combine our accumulated research capabilities with AI and expand global cooperation to open new horizons for scientific discovery."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.